Most services are provided in community settings where problems may occur and support is needed rather then in staff offices or clinics.
State Practices:
Connecticut
Recognizing that there have to be links between juvenile justice, foster care and mental health, the state of Connecticut developed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between mental health and agencies responsible for foster care and juvenile justice.
The purpose of the MOA is to identify a strategy to prevent youth from being involved in the juvenile justice system through use of evidence-based best practices. This includes implementation of a Connecticut-based wraparound approach that builds on the resiliency of youth, families and their community.
Vermont
One of the programs most discussed in the literature is the Jump on Board for Success (JOBS) project in Vermont. In this project, which will be highlighted throughout the review, youth-in-transition between the ages of 16-22 find jobs in supported employment. The success of the program is predicated on the interagency agreement between Vocational Rehabilitation, Corrections, Social and Rehabilitation Services and Mental Health Services with specific funding responsibilities from each agency. (Massachusetts QI Testimony)
Ohio
Four state agencies, Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Services, Mental Health, Rehabilitation and Corrections and Youth Services all fund the Linkages Project. This supports local efforts to improve coordination of the criminal, juvenile justice, mental health and substance abuse services and reduce incarceration. (Youth with Mental Health Disorders)
Maryland
Maryland has an agreement between their Mental Health agency and the state’s Vocational Rehabilitation agency — a formal arrangement to integrate eligibility determination and service delivery. This MOU was signed in 2007 and allows for individuals determined eligible by the mental health agency to also be determined eligible by the vocational rehabilitation agency for supported employment services. The two agencies have automated eligibility determination piece to be simultaneous. (GAO Report)
Pennsylvania
Original MOU developed in 1998, revised in 2006 among four state agencies—Department of Education, Department of Labor and Industry, Department of Public Welfare and Department of Health. The MOU was created for the agencies to work together to support youth and young adults with disabilities transitioning into adult life in the achievement of their desired post school outcomes (including post secondary education, employment, training, lifelong learning, healthy lifestyles, etc.). (Department of Education Website)
Mississippi
The Mental Health Agency created an Interagency Transitional Services Task Force to develop policies and identify resources appropriate for young adults, ages 14-25. The task force provides interagency direction, establishes policy and shares funding streams.
Expert Recommendations:
New York State Children’s Plan
MOU with OCFS, OMH, Education, OMRDD, and Probation to provide a seamless process of agency responsibility and service delivery for transitioning youth. Expand membership of the Council of Children and Family and include representatives of family members and youth to include their voices in public policy.
Table of Contents
Overview of Literature Search
Background
Best Practices
I) Access and Linkages
A. Cross Systems Approach
B. Care Coordination
C. Family Links
D. Workforce
II) Population
A. Eligibility
B. Diverse Populations Involved with Youth in Transition
C. Schools (Screenings and Assessments)
III) Services
A. Overarching Service Needs
B. Employment
C. Education Services
D. Self-Determination and Empowerment
E. Youth Mentors
F. Clinical Services
G. Individualized and Person Centered Planning
H. Cultural Competence
I. Adult Skills Training
IV) Financing
A. Overarching Funding including Blended Models
B. Youth Oriented Services
C. Employment and Education
(Subset of Youth-Oriented Services)
D. Clinical Services
V) Housing
A. Various Housing Options for Youth in Transition
B. YIT Services Linked to Housing
C. Housing Model Funding
VI) Transition to Independence Process System (TIP)
(Emerging Best Practice)